the number on the screen. ….

the number on the screen. If the number is readily available, it is a scam.

• Never give information to anyone that you do not personally know. If you give a stranger access to your computer, he or she can get all your passwords, personal and financial information.

• No matter how the thieves deliver the threat (on your computer, a phone call, a text message), the immediate result is often the same. You may panic and want to fix it. If you call the number, you’ll get a helpful voice on the other end, reiterating what grave danger you’re in, but then they reassure that they will keep you from the real harm.

• Once they get you on the phone, the real hustle begins. The scammer says he’s a certified Apple (or Microsoft, or any other well-known company) technician, and offers to give you his certification number. The talk is fast and smooth, and the crook has an answer for everything.

• The fake technician might ask you to download an app that allows them to “run a diagnostic test.” Then they pretend to spot all kinds of horrible things, and either offer to fix it, maybe for a price, or download more software— which will likely infect your machine with malware and spyware.

• If it involves urgency, it’s a scam.

• If it involves money, it’s a scam.

• If it involves free money, it’s a scam.

• If it involves logging in, it’s a scam.

• If it involves anything that sounds too good to be true, it’s a scam.

• If it involves Amazon, Apple, PayPal, checks or bank accounts, it’s a scam.

• If it involves special fees or a courier, it’s a scam.

• If it involves the word “kindly,” it’s a scam.

• If it involves someone trying to gain your trust to do something you already know is wrong, it’s a scam.

• If it involves sending a code to help someone “unlock” their account, it’s a scam.

• If it involves buying gift cards and sending the code, it’s a scam.

• If someone is trying to convince you it’s “legit,” it’s a scam.

For more information, call Tina Schaffer at (562) 755-6199.